BNS Bank Nova Scotia Halifax

 

1,020,743 Units $10 principal amount per unit CUSIP No. 06418W789			Pricing Date Settlement Date Maturity Date		February 27, 2025 March 6, 2025 March 13, 2026
STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. ●Maturity of approximately one year and one week ●Interest payable quarterly at the rate of 12.00% per year ●A payment of $0.901 per unit if the Underlying Stock increases to or above 112.00% of the Starting Value ●1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Underlying Stock, with up to 100.00% of your principal at risk ●All payments on the notes subject to the credit risk of The Bank of Nova Scotia ●In addition to the underwriting discount set forth below, the notes include a hedging-related charge of $0.05 per unit. See “Structuring the Notes” ●Limited secondary market liquidity, with no exchange listing ●The notes are unsecured debt securities and are not savings accounts or insured deposits of a bank. The notes are not insured or guaranteed by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “CDIC”), the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), or any other governmental agency of Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction

The notes are being issued by The Bank of Nova Scotia (“BNS”). There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks and certain additional costs. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-6 of product supplement STEPS-1.

The initial estimated value of the notes as of the pricing date is $9.74 per unit, which is less than the public offering price listed below. See “Summary” on the following page, “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-10 of this term sheet for additional information. The actual value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.

_________________________

None of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Note Prospectus (as defined below) is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

_________________________

	Per Unit	Total
Public offering price(1)	$ 10.00	$  10,207,430.00
Underwriting discount	$ 0.15	$ 153,111.45
Proceeds, before expenses, to BNS	$ 9.85	$  10,054,318.55

(1)Plus accrued interest from the scheduled settlement date, if settlement occurs after that date.

The notes:

Are Not FDIC Insured	Are Not Bank Guaranteed	May Lose Value

BofA Securities

February 27, 2025

STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

Summary

The STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities. The notes are not guaranteed or insured by the CDIC or the FDIC, and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. The notes are not bail-inable debt securities (as defined in the prospectus). The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured senior debt. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of BNS. The notes provide quarterly interest payments. Additionally, if the Ending Value of the Underlying Stock, which is the common stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc., is at or above the Step Level, the notes will also provide a payment of $0.901 per unit at maturity. If the Ending Value is less than the Step Level, the Redemption Amount will not be greater than your principal amount. If the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value, the Redemption Amount will be less than the principal amount of your notes, and may be as low as zero. Payments on the notes, including the amount you receive at maturity, will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per unit and will depend on the performance of the Underlying Stock, subject to our credit risk. See “Terms of the Notes” below.

The economic terms of the notes (including the Step Payment) are based on our internal funding rate, which is the rate we would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes, and the economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements. Our internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed rate debt securities. This difference in funding rate, as well as the underwriting discount and the hedging related charge described below, reduced the economic terms of the notes to you and the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date. Due to these factors, the public offering price you pay to purchase the notes is greater than the initial estimated value of the notes.

On the cover page of this term sheet, we have provided the initial estimated value for the notes. The initial estimated value was determined by reference to our internal pricing models, which take into consideration certain factors, such as our internal funding rate on the pricing date and our assumptions about market parameters. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the notes, see “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-10.

Terms of the Notes		Redemption Amount Determination
Issuer:	The Bank of Nova Scotia (“BNS”)	In addition to interest payable, on the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit determined as follows:
Principal Amount:	$10.00 per unit
Term:	Approximately one year and one week
Underlying Stock:	Common stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (the “Underlying Company”) (Bloomberg symbol: FCX)
Starting Value:	$37.42 (the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock on the pricing date).
Ending Value:	The Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock on the valuation date, multiplied by the Price Multiplier. The valuation date is subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-21 of product supplement STEPS-1.
Valuation Date:	March 6, 2026
Interest Rate:	12.00% per year, payable quarterly
Interest Payment Dates:	June 13, 2025, September 13, 2025, December 13, 2025 and March 13, 2026.
Step Payment:	$0.901 per unit, which represents a return of 9.01% of the principal amount.
Step Level:	$41.91 (112.00% of the Starting Value, rounded to two decimal places).
Threshold Value:	$37.42 (100.00% of the Starting Value).
Price Multiplier:	1, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to the Underlying Stock, as described beginning on page PS-4 of product supplement STEPS-1.
Fees and Charges:	The underwriting discount of $0.15 per unit listed on the cover page and the hedging related charge of $0.05 per unit described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-10.
Calculation Agent:	BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”)

STEP Income Securities®	TS-2

 

STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the following:

￭Product supplement STEPS-1 dated December 3, 2024:
​http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/9631/000183988224043254/bns_424b2-25260.htm

￭Prospectus supplement dated November 8, 2024:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/9631/000183988224038303/bns_424b3-21311.htm

￭Prospectus dated November 8, 2024:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/9631/000119312524253771/d875135d424b3.htm

These documents (together, the “Note Prospectus”) have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website as indicated above or obtained from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) or BofAS by calling 1-800-294-1322. You should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, for information about us and this offering. Any prior or contemporaneous oral statements and any other written materials you may have received are superseded by the Note Prospectus. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement STEPS-1. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to BNS.

 

Investor Considerations

You may wish to consider an investment in the notes if:	The notes may not be an appropriate investment for you if:
￭You anticipate that the Ending Value will be greater than or equal to the Starting Value. ￭You seek interest payments on your investment. ￭You accept that the maximum return on the notes is limited to the sum of the quarterly interest payments and the Step Payment, if any. ￭You accept that your investment may result in a loss, which could be significant, if the Ending Value is below the Starting Value. ￭You are willing to forgo dividends or other benefits of owning shares of the Underlying Stock. ￭You are willing to accept a limited or no market for sales prior to maturity, and understand that the market prices for the notes, if any, will be affected by various factors, including our actual and perceived creditworthiness, our internal funding rate and fees and charges on the notes. ￭You are willing to assume our credit risk, as issuer of the notes, for all payments under the notes, including the Redemption Amount.	￭You anticipate that the Ending Value will be less than the Starting Value. ￭You anticipate that the price of the Underlying Stock will increase substantially and do not want a payment at maturity that is limited to the Step Payment. ￭You seek principal repayment or preservation of capital. ￭In addition to interest payments, you seek an additional guaranteed return above the principal amount. ￭You want to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the Underlying Stock. ￭You seek an investment for which there will be a liquid secondary market. ￭You are unwilling or are unable to take market risk on the notes or to take our credit risk as issuer of the notes.

We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors regarding an investment in the notes.

STEP Income Securities®	TS-3

 

STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

Hypothetical Payments at Maturity

The following examples are for purposes of illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show hypothetical payments on the notes. The actual amount you receive and the resulting return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Threshold Value, Ending Value, Step Level and the term of your investment. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes. These examples are based on:

1)a Starting Value of 100.00;

2)a Threshold Value of 100.00;

3)a Step Level of 112.00;

4)the Step Payment of $0.901 per unit;

5)the term of the notes from March 6, 2025 to March 13, 2026; and

6)the Interest Rate of 12.00% per year.

The hypothetical Starting Value of 100.00 used in these examples has been chosen for illustrative purposes only. The actual Starting Value is $37.42, which was the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock on the pricing date. For recent actual prices of the Underlying Stock, see “The Underlying Stock” section below. In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.

Example 1

The Ending Value is 140.00 (140.00% of the Starting Value)

The Ending Value is greater than the Step Level. Consequently, in addition to the quarterly interest payments, you will receive on the maturity date the principal amount of your notes plus the Step Payment of $0.901 per unit. The Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date will therefore be equal to $10.901 ($10.00 plus the Step Payment of $0.901 per unit).

Example 2

The Ending Value is 105.00 (105.00% of the Starting Value)

The Ending Value is greater than the Starting Value and the Threshold Value but below the Step Level. Consequently, you will receive the quarterly interest payments, but you will not receive the Step Payment on the maturity date. The Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date will therefore be equal to $10.00.

Example 3

The Ending Value is 70.00 (70.00% of the Starting Value)

The Ending Value is less than the Starting Value and the Threshold Value. Consequently, you will receive the quarterly interest payments, but you will not receive the Step Payment on the maturity date, and you will participate on a 1-for-1 basis in the decrease in the price of the Underlying Stock. The Redemption Amount per unit will equal:

On the maturity date, you will receive the Redemption Amount per unit of $7.00.

STEP Income Securities®	TS-4

 

STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

Summary of the Hypothetical Examples

 

	Example 1	Example 2	Example 3
	The Ending Value is greater than or equal to the Step Level	The Ending Value is less than the Step Level but greater than or equal to the Starting Value	The Ending Value is less than the Starting Value and the Threshold Value
Starting Value	100.00	100.00	100.00
Ending Value	140.00	105.00	70.00
Step Level	112.00	112.00	112.00
Threshold Value	100.00	100.00	100.00
Interest Rate (per year)	12.00%	12.00%	12.00%
Step Payment	$0.901	$0.00	$0.00
Redemption Amount per Unit	$10.901	$10.00	$7.00
Total Return of the Underlying Stock(1)	41.53%	6.53%	-28.47%
Total Return on the Notes(2)	21.24%	12.23%	-17.77%

 

(1)The total return of the Underlying Stock may be rounded for ease of analysis and assumes:

(a)the percentage change in the price of the Underlying Stock from the Starting Value to the Ending Value;

(b)a constant dividend yield of 1.50% per year; and

(c)no transaction fees or expenses.

(2)The total return on the notes may be rounded for ease of analysis, and includes interest paid on the notes from March 6, 2025 to March 13, 2026.

STEP Income Securities®	TS-5

 

STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

Risk Factors

There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security. An investment in the notes involves significant risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes in the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page PS-6 of product supplement STEPS-1, page S-2 of the prospectus supplement, and page 8 of the prospectus identified above. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors.

Structure-Related Risks

￭Depending on the performance of the Underlying Stock as measured shortly before the maturity date, your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal.

￭Your return on the notes may be less than the yield you could earn by owning a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity.

￭You will not receive a Step Payment at maturity unless the Ending Value is greater than or equal to the Step Level.

￭Your investment return is limited to the return represented by the periodic interest payments over the term of the notes and the Step Payment, if any, and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the Underlying Stock.

Market Measure-Related Risks

￭The Underlying Company will have no obligations relating to the notes, and none of us, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our respective affiliates will perform any due diligence procedures with respect to the Underlying Company in connection with this offering.

￭You will have no rights of a holder of the Underlying Stock, and you will not be entitled to receive the Underlying Stock or dividends or other distributions by the Underlying Company.

￭While we, MLPF&S, BofAS or our respective affiliates may from time to time own shares of the Underlying Company, we, MLPF&S, BofAS and our respective affiliates do not control the Underlying Company, and have not verified any disclosure made by the Underlying Company.

￭The Redemption Amount will not be adjusted for all corporate events that could affect the Underlying Stock. See “Description of the Notes—Anti-Dilution Adjustments” beginning on page PS-22 of product supplement STEPS-1.

Valuation- and Market-Related Risks

￭Our initial estimated value of the notes is lower than the public offering price of the notes. Our initial estimated value of the notes is only an estimate. The public offering price of the notes exceeds our initial estimated value because it includes costs associated with selling and structuring the notes, as well as hedging our obligations under the notes with a third party, which may include BofAS or one of its affiliates. These costs include the underwriting discount and an expected hedging related charge, as further described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-10.

￭Our initial estimated value of the notes does not represent future values of the notes and may differ from others’ estimates. Our initial estimated value of the notes is determined by reference to our internal pricing models when the terms of the notes are set. These pricing models consider certain factors, such as our internal funding rate on the pricing date, the expected term of the notes, market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time, and our assumptions about market parameters, which can include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide valuations for the notes that are different from our initial estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors in the future may change, and any of our assumptions may prove to be incorrect. On future dates, the market value of the notes could change significantly based on, among other things, the performance of the Underlying Stock, changes in market conditions, our creditworthiness, interest rate movements and other relevant factors. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the notes in complex and unpredictable ways. Our initial estimated value does not represent a minimum price at which we or any agents would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time.

￭Our initial estimated value is not determined by reference to credit spreads or the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities. The internal funding rate used in the determination of our initial estimated value of the notes generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities and the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities. If we were to use the interest rate implied by the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities, or the borrowing rate we would pay for our conventional fixed-rate debt securities, we would expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you. Consequently, our use of an internal funding rate for the notes would have an adverse effect on the economic terms of the notes, the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date, and the price at which you may be able to sell the notes in any secondary market.

￭A trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. None of us, MLPF&S or BofAS is obligated to make a market for, or to repurchase, the notes. There is no assurance that any party will be willing to purchase your notes at any price in any secondary market.

STEP Income Securities®	TS-6

 

STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

Conflict-Related Risks

￭Our business, hedging and trading activities, and those of MLPF&S, BofAS and our respective affiliates (including trades in shares of the Underlying Stock) and any hedging and trading activities we, MLPF&S, BofAS or our respective affiliates engage in for our clients’ accounts, may affect the market value and return of the notes and may create conflicts of interest with you.

￭There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent, which is BofAS. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent.

General Credit Risks

￭Payments on the notes are subject to our credit risk, and actual or perceived changes in our creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the notes. If we become insolvent or are unable to pay our obligations, you may lose your entire investment.

Tax-Related Risks

￭The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the notes are uncertain and may be adverse to a holder of the notes. See “Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” below.

￭The conclusion that no portion of the interest paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited on a note will be “Participating Debt Interest” subject to Canadian withholding tax is based in part on the current published administrative position of the CRA. There cannot be any assurance that CRA’s current published administrative practice will not be subject to change, including potential expansion in the current administrative interpretation of Participating Debt Interest subject to Canadian withholding tax. If, at any time, the interest paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited on a note is subject to Canadian withholding tax, you will receive an amount that is less than the Redemption Amount. You should consult your own adviser as to the potential for such withholding and the potential for reduction or refund of part or all of such withholding, including under any bilateral Canadian tax treaty the benefits of which you may be entitled. For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the notes, see “Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” below, “Canadian Taxation—Debt Securities” on page 66 of the prospectus and “Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” on page PS-30 of the product supplement STEPS-1.

STEP Income Securities®	TS-7

 

STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

The Underlying Stock

We have derived the following information from publicly available documents. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the following information.

According to publicly available information, Freeport-McMoRan Inc. ("Freeport") is a mining company that primarily produces copper. Information filed by Freeport with the SEC can be located by reference to its SEC file number: 001-11307-01, or its CIK Code: 0000831259. Freeport’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “FCX”.

Because the Underlying Stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Underlying Company is required to file periodically certain financial and other information specified by the SEC. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the Underlying Company can be located through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov by reference to SEC CIK number specified above.

This term sheet relates only to the notes and does not relate to the Underlying Stock or to any other securities of the Underlying Company. None of us, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our respective affiliates has participated or will participate in the preparation of the Underlying Company’s publicly available documents. None of us, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our respective affiliates has made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Underlying Company in connection with the offering of the notes. None of us, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our respective affiliates makes any representation that the publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the Underlying Company are accurate or complete. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that all events occurring prior to the date of this term sheet, including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of these publicly available documents that would affect the trading price of the Underlying Stock, have been or will be publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the Underlying Company could affect the price of the Underlying Stock and therefore could affect your return on the notes. The selection of the Underlying Stock is not a recommendation to buy or sell the Underlying Stock.

Historical Data

The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the Underlying Stock on its primary exchange in the period from January 1, 2015 through February 27, 2025. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On the pricing date, the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock was $37.42. The graph below may have been adjusted to reflect certain corporate actions such as stock splits and reverse stock splits.

Historical Performance of the Underlying Stock

 

This historical data on the Underlying Stock is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Underlying Stock or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the price per share of the Underlying Stock during any period set forth above is not an indication that the price per share of the Underlying Stock is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

You should consult publicly available sources for the prices and trading pattern of the Underlying Stock.

STEP Income Securities®	TS-8

 

STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

Supplement to the Plan of Distribution

Under our distribution agreement with BofAS, BofAS will purchase the notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount.

MLPF&S will purchase the notes from BofAS for resale, and will receive a selling concession in connection with the sale of the notes in an amount up to the full amount of the underwriting discount set forth on the cover of this term sheet. We will pay a fee to LFT Securities, LLC for providing certain electronic platform services with respect to this offering, which will reduce the economic terms of the notes to you. An affiliate of BofAS has an ownership interest in LFT Securities, LLC.

We will deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than one business day following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than one business day prior to the settlement date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. In the original offering of the notes, the notes will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units. If you place an order to purchase the notes, you are consenting to MLPF&S and/or one of its affiliates acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.

MLPF&S and BofAS may repurchase and resell the notes, with repurchases and resales being made at prices related to then-prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, and these prices will include MLPF&S’s and BofAS’s trading commissions and mark-ups or mark-downs. MLPF&S and BofAS may act as principal or agent in these market-making transactions; however, neither is obligated to engage in any such transactions. At their discretion, for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the notes, MLPF&S and BofAS may offer to buy the notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the initial estimated value of the notes. Any price offered by MLPF&S or BofAS for the notes will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Underlying Stock and the remaining term of the notes. However, none of us, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our respective affiliates is obligated to purchase your notes at any price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that we, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our respective affiliates will purchase your notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the notes.

The value of the notes shown on your account statement produced by MLPF&S will be based on BofAS’s estimate of the value of the notes if BofAS or another of its affiliates were to make a market in the notes, which it is not obligated to do. That estimate will be based upon the price that BofAS may pay for the notes in light of then-prevailing market conditions, and other considerations, as mentioned above, and will include transaction costs. At certain times, this price may be higher than or lower than the initial estimated value of the notes.

The distribution of the Note Prospectus in connection with these offers or sales will be solely for the purpose of providing investors with the description of the terms of the notes that was made available to investors in connection with their initial offering. Secondary market investors should not, and will not be authorized to, rely on the Note Prospectus for information regarding BNS or for any purpose other than that described in the immediately preceding sentence.

STEP Income Securities®	TS-9

 

STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

Structuring the Notes

The notes are our unsecured senior debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Underlying Stock. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our market-linked notes, the economic terms of the notes reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. The internal funding rate we use in pricing the market-linked note is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed-rate debt securities of comparable maturity. This generally relatively lower internal funding rate, which is reflected in the economic terms of the notes, along with the fees and charges associated with market-linked notes, resulted in the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date being less than their public offering price.

Payments on the notes, including the interest payments on the notes and the Redemption Amount, will be calculated based on the $10.00 principal amount per unit. The Redemption Amount will depend on the performance of the Underlying Stock. In order to meet these payment obligations, at the time we issue the notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with BofAS or one of its affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined by seeking bids from market participants, including MLPF&S, BofAS and its affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Underlying Stock, the tenor of the notes and the tenor of the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.

BofAS has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include a hedging related charge of approximately $0.05 per unit, reflecting an estimated profit to be credited to BofAS from these transactions. Since hedging entails risk and may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, additional profits and losses from these hedging arrangements may be realized by BofAS or any third party hedge providers.

For further information, see “Risk Factors—Conflict-Related Risk” beginning on page PS-13 and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” on page PS-17 of product supplement STEPS-1.

 

STEP Income Securities®	TS-10

 

STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences

See “Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” in product supplement STEPS-1. In addition to the assumptions, limitations and conditions described therein, such discussion assumes that no amount paid or payable to a Non-Resident Holder will be the deduction component of a “hybrid mismatch arrangement” under which the payment arises within the meaning of paragraph 18.4(3)(b) of the Act.

Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a general description of certain U.S. federal tax considerations relating to the notes. Prospective purchasers of the notes should consult their tax advisors as to the consequences under the tax laws of the country of which they are residents for tax purposes and the tax laws of the U.S. of acquiring, holding and disposing of the notes and receiving payments under the notes. This summary is based upon the law as in effect on the date of this document and is subject to any change in law that may take effect after such date. We urge you to read the more detailed discussion in the “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” section beginning on page PS-32 of product supplement STEPS-1.

No statutory, regulatory, judicial or administrative authority directly discusses how the notes should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the notes are uncertain. Accordingly, we urge you to consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of your investment in the notes (and of having agreed to the required tax treatment of your notes described below) and as to the application of state, local or other tax laws to your investment in your notes and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.

U.S. Tax Treatment. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, BNS and you agree, in the absence of a statutory or regulatory change or an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to characterize your notes as prepaid derivative contracts with respect to the Underlying Stock. Interest payments on the notes (including any interest payments paid on or with respect to the maturity date) will be treated as ordinary income includable in income by you in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above characterization.

If your notes are so treated, upon the taxable disposition (including cash settlement) of a note, you generally should recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized (less any accrued and unpaid interest, which would be taxable as such and, at maturity, inclusive of the Step Payment, if received) on such taxable disposition and your tax basis in the note. Your tax basis in a note generally should equal your cost for the note. Such gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your notes for more than one year (otherwise such gain or loss should be short-term capital gain or loss if held for one year or less). However, no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with this characterization (including treatment of any Step Payment as capital gain). The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Based on certain factual representations received from us, our special U.S. tax counsel, Ashurst LLP, is of the opinion that it would be reasonable to treat your notes in the manner described above. However, because there is no authority that specifically addresses the tax treatment of the notes, it is possible that your notes could alternatively be treated for tax purposes as a single contingent payment debt instrument or pursuant to some other characterization, such that the timing and character of your income from the notes could differ materially and adversely from the treatment described above. There may also be a risk that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) could assert that the notes should not give rise to long-term capital gain or loss because the notes offer, at least in part, short exposure to the Underlying Stock.

Contingent Payment Debt Instrument. It is possible that the notes could be treated as debt instruments subject to the special tax rules governing contingent payment debt instruments. If the notes are so treated, you would be required to accrue interest income as original issue discount over the term of your notes based upon the yield at which we would issue a non-contingent fixed-rate debt instrument with other terms and conditions similar to that of your notes, with the result that your taxable income in any year could differ significantly from the periodic interest payments you receive in a particular year because such comparable yield would consist of periodic interest payments, the principal amount, noncontingent payments and projections for any contingent payments, including any Step Payment. You would recognize gain or loss upon the taxable disposition of your notes in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount you receive at such time and your adjusted basis in your notes. In general, your adjusted basis in your notes would be equal to the amount you paid for your notes, increased by the amount of interest you previously accrued with respect to your note and decreased by any contingent payments or periodic interest payments. Any gain you recognize upon the taxable disposition of your notes would be ordinary income and any loss recognized by you at such time would be ordinary loss to the extent of interest you included in income in the current or previous taxable years in respect of your notes, and thereafter, would be capital loss. If you recognize a loss above certain thresholds, you could be required to file a disclosure statement.

Notice 2008-2. In 2007, the IRS released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the notes. According to Notice 2008-2, the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) are actively considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the notes should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis. It is not possible to determine what guidance they will ultimately issue, if any. It is possible, however, that under such guidance, holders of the notes will ultimately be required to accrue income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. The IRS and the Treasury are also considering other relevant issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether non-U.S. holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, and whether the special “constructive ownership rules” under

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STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

Section 1260 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) should be applied to such instruments. Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above considerations.

Proposed Legislation. In 2007, legislation was introduced in Congress that, if it had been enacted, would have required holders of notes purchased after the bill was enacted to accrue interest income over the term of the notes despite the fact that there will be no interest payments over the term of the notes.

Furthermore, in 2013 the House Ways and Means Committee released in draft form certain proposed legislation relating to financial instruments. If it had been enacted, the effect of this legislation generally would be to require instruments such as the notes to be marked to market on an annual basis with all gains and losses to be treated as ordinary, subject to certain exceptions.

It is impossible to predict what any such legislation or administrative or regulatory guidance might provide, and whether the effective date of any legislation or guidance will affect securities that were issued before the date that such legislation or guidance is issued. You are urged to consult your tax advisor as to the possibility that any legislative or administrative action may adversely affect the tax treatment of your notes.

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income. U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or certain trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” or “undistributed net investment income” in the case of an estate or trust, which may include any income or gain realized with respect to the notes, to the extent of their net investment income or undistributed net investment income (as the case may be) that, when added to their other modified adjusted gross income, exceeds $200,000 for an unmarried individual, $250,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return (or a surviving spouse), $125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return, or the dollar amount at which the highest tax bracket begins for an estate or trust. The 3.8% Medicare tax is determined in a different manner than the regular income tax. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to the 3.8% Medicare tax.

Specified Foreign Financial Assets. U.S. holders may be subject to reporting obligations with respect to their notes if they do not hold their notes in an account maintained by a financial institution and the aggregate value of their notes and certain other “specified foreign financial assets” (applying certain attribution rules) exceeds an applicable threshold. Significant penalties can apply if a U.S. holder is required to disclose its notes and fails to do so.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. The proceeds received from a taxable disposition of the notes will be subject to information reporting unless you are an “exempt recipient” and may also be subject to backup withholding at the rate specified in the Code if you fail to provide certain identifying information (such as an accurate taxpayer number, if you are a U.S. holder) or meet certain other conditions.

Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not additional taxes and may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.

Non-U.S. Holders. If you are a non-U.S. holder, subject to Section 871(m) of the Code and FATCA, discussed below, you should generally not be subject to generally applicable information reporting and backup withholding requirements with respect to payments on your notes if you comply with certain certification and identification requirements as to your non-U.S. status including providing us (and/or the applicable withholding agent) a properly executed and fully completed applicable IRS Form W-8. Subject to Section 897 of the Code and Section 871(m) of the Code, discussed below, gain realized from the taxable disposition of a note generally will not be subject to U.S. tax unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by you in the U.S., (ii) you are a non-resident alien individual and are present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of such taxable disposition and certain other conditions are satisfied or (iii) you have certain other present or former connections with the U.S.

Section 897. We will not attempt to ascertain whether the Underlying Stock issuer would be treated as a “United States real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. We also have not attempted to determine whether the notes should be treated as “United States real property interests” (“USRPI”) as defined in Section 897 of the Code. If the Underlying Stock issuer and/or the notes were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply, including subjecting any gain realized by a non-U.S. holder in respect of a note upon a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the note to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis, and the proceeds from such a taxable disposition to a 15% withholding tax. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential treatment of the Underlying Stock issuer as a USRPHC and/or the notes as USRPI.

Section 871 (m). A 30% withholding tax (which may be reduced by an applicable income tax treaty) is imposed under Section 871(m) of the Code on certain “dividend equivalents” paid or deemed paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to a “specified equity-linked instrument” that references one or more dividend-paying U.S. equity securities or indices containing U.S. equity securities. The withholding tax can apply even if the instrument does not provide for payments that reference dividends. Treasury regulations provide that the withholding tax applies to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on specified equity-linked instruments that have a delta of one (“delta-one specified equity-linked instruments”) issued after 2016 and to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on all other specified equity-linked instruments issued after 2017. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the Treasury and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the Treasury regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid will not apply to specified equity-linked instruments that are not delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and are issued before January 1, 2027.

Based on our determination that the notes are not “delta-one” with respect to the Underlying Stock, our special U.S. tax counsel is of the opinion that the notes should not be delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and thus should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Furthermore, the application of Section 871(m) of the Code will depend on our determinations made on the date the terms of the notes are set. If withholding is required, we will not make payments of any additional amounts.

Nevertheless, after the date the terms are set, it is possible that your notes could be deemed to be reissued for tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the Underlying Stock or your notes, and following such occurrence your notes could be treated as

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STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

delta-one specified equity-linked instruments that are subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. It is also possible that withholding tax or other tax under Section 871(m) of the Code could apply to the notes under these rules if you enter, or have entered, into certain other transactions in respect of the Underlying Stock or the notes. If you enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the Underlying Stock or the notes you should consult your tax advisor regarding the application of Section 871(m) of the Code to your notes in the context of your other transactions.

Because of the uncertainty regarding the application of the 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents to the notes, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) of the Code and the 30% withholding tax to an investment in the notes.

U.S. Federal Estate Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders. A note may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if an individual non-U.S. holder holds the note at the time of his or her death. The gross estate of a non-U.S. holder domiciled outside the U.S. includes only property situated in the U.S. Individual non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of holding the notes at death.

FATCA. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) was enacted on March 18, 2010, and imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (i.e., certain U.S.-source payments, including interest (and original issue discount), dividends or other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of property of a type that can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends) and “passthru payments” (i.e., certain payments attributable to withholdable payments) made to certain foreign financial institutions (and certain of their affiliates) unless the payee foreign financial institution agrees (or is required), among other things, to disclose the identity of any U.S. individual with an account at the institution (or the relevant affiliate) and to annually report certain information about such account. FATCA also requires withholding agents making withholdable payments to certain foreign entities that do not disclose the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of any substantial U.S. owners (or do not certify that they do not have any substantial U.S. owners) to withhold tax at a rate of 30%. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

Pursuant to final and temporary Treasury regulations and other IRS guidance, the withholding and reporting requirements under FATCA will generally apply to certain “withholdable payments”, will not apply to gross proceeds on a sale or disposition, and will apply to certain foreign passthru payments only to the extent that such payments are made after the date that is two years after final regulations defining the term “foreign passthru payment” are published. If withholding is required, we (or the applicable paying agent) will not be required to pay additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

Investors should consult their own tax advisors about the application of FATCA, in particular if they may be classified as financial institutions (or if they hold their notes through a foreign entity) under the FATCA rules.

Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction (including that of BNS).

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STEP Income Securities® Linked to the Common Stock of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. due March 13, 2026

 

Validity of the Notes

In the opinion of Ashurst LLP, when the notes offered by this term sheet have been executed and issued by BNS and authenticated by the trustee pursuant to the indenture and delivered, paid for and sold as contemplated herein, the notes will be valid and binding obligations of BNS, enforceable against BNS in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium, receivership or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity). This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York. Insofar as this opinion involves matters governed by Canadian law, Ashurst LLP has assumed, without independent inquiry or investigation, the validity of the matters opined on by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Canadian legal counsel for BNS, in its opinion expressed below. In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the indenture and, with respect to the notes, authentication of the notes and the genuineness of signatures and certain factual matters, all as stated in the opinion of Ashurst LLP dated January 21, 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 6-K on January 21, 2025.

In the opinion of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, the issue and sale of the notes has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of BNS in conformity with the Indenture, and when the notes have been duly executed, authenticated and issued in accordance with the Indenture, and delivered against payment therefor, the notes will be validly issued and, to the extent validity of the notes is a matter governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario or the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, will be valid obligations of BNS, subject to the following limitations (i) the enforceability of the Indenture may be limited by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (Canada), the Winding-up and Restructuring Act (Canada) and bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, preference, moratorium, arrangement or winding-up laws or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally; (ii) the enforceability of the Indenture may be limited by equitable principles, including the principle that equitable remedies such as specific performance and injunction may only be granted in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction; (iii) pursuant to the Currency Act (Canada) a judgment by a Canadian court must be awarded in Canadian currency and that such judgment may be based on a rate of exchange in existence on a day other than the day of payment; and (iv) the enforceability of the Indenture will be subject to the limitations contained in the Limitations Act, 2002 (Ontario), and such counsel expresses no opinion as to whether a court may find any provision of the Indenture to be unenforceable as an attempt to vary or exclude a limitation period under that Act. This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the Trustees’ authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture and the genuineness of signatures and certain factual matters, all as stated in the letter of such counsel dated October 9, 2024, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.2 to BNS’s Form F-3 filed with the SEC on October 9, 2024.

Where You Can Find More Information

We have filed a registration statement (including a product supplement, a prospectus supplement and a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this term sheet relates. You should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, and the other documents that we have filed with the SEC, for more complete information about us and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we, any agent, or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you these documents if you so request by calling MLPF&S or BofAS toll-free at 1-800-294-1322.

“STEP Income Securities®” and “STEPS®” are registered service marks of Bank of America Corporation, the parent company of MLPF&S and BofAS.

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Grafico Azioni Bank Nova Scotia Halifax (NYSE:BNS)
Storico
Da Feb 2025 a Mar 2025

Grafico Azioni Bank Nova Scotia Halifax (NYSE:BNS)
Storico
Da Mar 2024 a Mar 2025